Bulls' Rose happy to be back

The Sports Xchange

The SportsXchangeSeptember 28, 2013

Chicago Bulls point guard Derrick Rose said he felt great after the team's first practice of the season on Saturday. Rose was pleased with how his surgically-repaired left knee responded as he prepares for the upcoming season. "I feel (like I am) back," Rose said via ESPNChicago.com. "I'm not worried about anything. I'm reacting when I'm out there, just trying to win every scrimmage and just trying to push everybody to be better." Rose missed all of last season after tearing his ACL in the first round of the 2012 playoffs. He practiced during the second half of last season, but never felt comfortable enough to play in a game, even though he was cleared to play. "I got confidence in my knee," Rose said. "There's no testing anymore. It's me just going out there and playing hard and attacking." It was the first time Rose participated in five-on-five drills since the injury. Prior to Saturday, Rose worked out on his own or with small groups. It appears he is finally near 100 percent. "I think he's comfortable," Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau said. "His body is strong, real strong, and he's attacking. Today he attacked the basket a lot more than he ever did last year. ... He doesn't have to pace himself like he did so that part's a lot better. The change of direction is much better. The driving and finishing is a lot better. His timing's still not there but it's a good start." Rose's teammates are glad to have Rose back in the fold. "It felt great (to have him back)," center Joakim Noah said. "He looks a lot more comfortable. I think everybody's healthy. A good Day 1." Unlike last season, the Bulls will not begin this season with uncertainty since Rose is back. "It's fun just playing on the court," Rose said. "And (Thibodeau) is always going to yell and all that stuff. It feels good for him to even yell at us, to yell at me, so I feel part of the team right now."